Occupation and Liberation of Paris: Explore Historic Sites of France's Darkest Period
5.0
5 Ratings
Paris

This is a unique chance to gain insight into numerous locations, some of them well-known, through the lens of history with numerous photographs and stories that shed light on the darkest times in French history.

Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards - Back to some dramatic anecdotes and daily life under the Occupation
  • Folies-Bergere - Testimonies on the intense artistic life under the Occupation: stars, music halls, cinemas …
  • Passage Verdeau - The passages keep the atmosphere and the decorations that one could find under the Occupation. Opposite, the building housed a brothel requisitioned by the German army.
  • Hotel Drouot - Dyrating the Occupation, a considerable number of simple objects and works of art were sold at Drouot. Opportunity to explain the spoliation of Jewish property and the incredible story of a German art dealer working for the Reich.
  • Mairie du 9e arrondissement de Paris - The town hall will be an opportunity to approach the Resistance, through an employee of the town hall. But also to address the denunciation and the ordinary resistance in France during the war
  • BNP Paribas maison doree - This ruling will address the role of banks under the occupation. A little before, we will discuss the surprising situation on the Paris stock exchange and also the armistice agreements between France and Germany and the economic as well as political situation which resulted from it.
  • Pathe Opera Premier - Example of a cinema requisitioned for German soldiers. Nearby, another building remained famous for having hosted one of the most important exhibitions in Paris, organized by propaganda promoting anti-Semitism.
  • BRED-Banque Populaire - Espace patrimonial - The Place de l’Opéra is extremely symbolic of the Occupation of Paris. The Kommandantur was there, the Café de la Paix, as well as the Opera, are rich in many anecdotes during this period.
  • Place Vendome - After having discussed the fate of the jewelry stores on rue de la Paix, Place Vendôme will be an opportunity to talk about the Ministry of Justice, occupied by the German army, of one of the very first networks of Resistance, established just opposite , and especially the Ritz hotel, which was a high place of Collaboration and occupation, with many celebrities, who regularly went there.
  • Rue de Castiglione - Most of the large hotls housed the headquarters of the German army. Behind the Meurice hotel, we will be able to approach the main characters linked to these places and the battles of the Liberation which ended here.
  • Place de la Concorde - The Place de la Concore allows you to see the traces of the battles of the Liberation. The memorial plaques are dedicated to the soldiers, resistance fighters or ordinary civilians who took part in them.

On the terrace, several photos of the place as of the places which surround it will help to better understand the period but also to return to the fundamental role of several famous people.

What's Included
  • All buildings visited are free to access
Location
32 Bd Poissonnière
Boulevard Poissonnière
In front of the Holiday Inn hotel, at the exit of the Grands Boulevards metro (lines 8 and 9)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(5 Ratings)
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Susanstrib
Mar 19, 2024
Walk with Thierry and learn about Paris! - We did two private, Paris walking tours with Thierry Heil in December. He was very responsive leading up to our tours, so we were prepared and ready to go at our agreed upon location near our apartment. One tour focused on the French Revolution and the other on the Occupation/Liberation of Paris during World War II. Thierry was informative, interesting, engaging and fun, and we felt like we learned much about both time periods when our walks concluded. I highly recommend Thierry and his company Interkultur if you are interested in Paris walking tours - there are a wide variety of tours from which to choose. They also offer guided experiences farther afield from Paris like the Champagne region, Fontainebleau, Chartres, Giverny, Normandy, etc. Merci beaucoup, Thierry!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emb815
Aug 26, 2023
Learning while walking - Brad was an informative guide who gave us a good overview of this period of French history. He willingly answered any questions. So much better than wandering around on our own. With this tour, we expanded our knowledge while seeing the beautiful sights of Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
April 2024
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